Clark Renney | Actor
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Happy New Year!

31/12/2022

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Well, looking back on 2022, my career in the World of Acting is as follows...
I was offered four paid roles, (three of which actually approached me), and I turned all of them down! I might perhaps be accused of being too picky, but feel I am right to set standards for which projects I want to be involved with. Increasingly, (and it has been a while now), I realize that in a fiercely competitive industry there is little demand for a sixty-something Granddad who does not have a resume from Warner Brothers. The only serious chance I have of being in front of a camera again is if it's my camera, and my ideas.

In the wider sense, for a man with such a passionate interest in Politics and World Affairs as I, 2022 provided much to engage with. In February, Russia invaded Ukraine, plunging Europe into war again. Russian Leader Vladimir Putin seems to have expected a 'Blitzkrieg' in which he overthrew the Ukrainian regime in a matter of weeks, and installed a puppet Government loyal to his interests. On December 31st, we can safely say that things have not gone entirely according to his plans.
Here at home, we have seen three Prime Ministers, one of whom lasted 45 days and in that time wrought havoc the like of which we haven't seen since Suez. She was replaced by the first British Prime Minister of Asian heritage; a landmark moment even if he is on the wrong side of the fence for me.
We saw the Platinum Jubilee of the only Monarch in my lifetime, and then sadly her passing on September 8th. Whilst not a great Monarchist myself, I have always thought she was a very good Queen, and joined with all those who mourned her loss.
Meanwhile, NASA are reaching for the moon again, and Football saw it's most controversial World Cup become its most successful; just before mourning the loss of Pelé, perhaps the Greatest Player ever to kick a ball.

But for me personally, the absolute highlight of 2022 was a trip with Karen to the beautiful city of Maastricht, where we saw the fabulous André Rieu (pictured), and his Johann Strauss Orchestra in concert. Originally scheduled for 2020 but delayed by the Pandemic, it was worth the wait; and I can only concur with André that our World would be a happier place if more people were making music.
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I have now lived to see a few New Years' Days, and I know that it's just another day. A 'New Me' takes more than one revolution on the planet's axis, and you can make a resolution on any day. But it is a time when people look forward with hope once again; and so, whatever your hopes are, I pray they will be fulfilled for you. May you, and your loved ones have a joyous 2023.

Happy New Year!
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Darkest Hour...

21/12/2022

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Well, once again we have arrived at the date which for me, is always the most psychologically important day in the calendar.
Here in England we are in the early hours of December 21, the shortest day of the year North of the Equator. For me, this date always seems strangely symbolic of the seemingly endless struggle between light and dark. For six months, the light in the Northern hemisphere has fallen back, as onward surged the triumphant darkness; but tonight, as if in a great battle like a Gettysburg, or a Stalingrad, the tide of this struggle will turn, the advance of the darkness will be halted, and the joyous light at last begin to return. We can start to look forward to the rebirth of Spring, and then those long Summer nights in the garden, or better still on the beach, and 40°C of heat; (well maybe not 40°C, that was a bit hot!).
This date also held great significance for the followers of ancient customs like paganism, for whom the Sun and the seasons were particularly revered. These festivals were of course, incorporated into what has now become Christmas, when we followers of Jesus will celebrate His birth. However, historians suggest that Jesus was actually born in early Spring, and not 'in the bleak midwinter'; and our Christmas decorations are drawn from various sources including the Roman festival of Saturnalia.
It was perhaps from my late Father that I inherited my dislike of these long, dark nights and English Winters. Dad always said if he became a millionaire, (he didn't by the way), he would live in England from April through September; and in Australia from October through March! Sounds good to me, and for Dad, who loved his Summer days and Cricket, it would have been a kind of Shangri La...

However, it was also on this date, seven years ago, that this darkest of days became even darker in our family story when my Father-In-Law, Denis, one of the finest Gentlemen I ever knew, made his final journey to the Promised Land. He is loved and missed today, and every day, by all who knew him and were touched by his life; and for the rest of my life, in addition to it's place in the solar calendar, this date will always be tinged by the sadness of his loss.
Requiescat In Pace, Dad...

December 21 is also a date which holds an interest for an old History Geek like me, since it was on this day in 1864 that American Major General, William Tecumseh Sherman, completed his famous 'March Through Georgia'.
In an incredibly bold operation his forces had left the captured city of Atlanta on November 15 and, living to a large extent off the land and captured supplies, they had blazed a path of destruction sixty miles wide through the state to reach the coastal city of Savannah, which surrendered without a fight. With Abraham Lincoln re-elected in November, and the South now split again, Sherman's audacious campaign effectively drove the last nail into the coffin of the Confederacy, who surrendered on April 9, 1865.

And so for me, today is more important than any New Year's Day; and whatever, if anything it means for you, I would like to wish you and your loved ones well in it. I hope it reminds you that even in your darkest moments, brighter times lie ahead; and I pray that your world will be filled with light, both literally and figuratively, in the months to come...

"Hope is being able to see that there is light despite all of the darkness."

Desmond Tutu.
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Last Flight...

25/9/2022

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I am saddened to learn of the passing of Actress, Louise Fletcher at the age of 88. She had a long and distinguished career spanning some six decades, but will forever be remembered as Nurse Ratched in One Flew Over The Cuckoo's Nest (1975), for which she won an Oscar, a BAFTA, and a Golden Globe.
Ironically, Fletcher was still virtually unknown when she was cast in the role, which several leading Actresses including Ellen Burstyn and Angela Lansbury had turned down; but her colossal performance as a woman wielding institutionalized power remains one of the most defining roles in movie history.

Estelle Louise Fletcher (1934 - 2022)
Requiescat In Pace...
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Happy New Year...

2/1/2022

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The month of January is named for the Roman god 'Janus', whose two faces looked simultaneously back to the past, and forward to the future, and inevitably the arrival of a new year is a time of hope for new beginnings. Destiny however, can often take a very different course from the one we charted. An old expression goes: "If you want to make God laugh, tell Him your plans!"

On New Year's Eve 2019, I was joking about the return of 'The Roaring Twenties'! But instead of bootleggers and speakeasies, by March of 2020 we had the most dangerous Pandemic in 400 years; and all those high flown dreams we had went to Hell as, instead of 'roaring', the Twenties stalled before they got out of the driveway. The vaccine program got the engine restarted, only to stall again in the street with the recent arrival of the Omicron variant flooding the carburettor.

I have not been in front of a camera professionally throughout 2021, but as I have faced other challenges, I have been inspired by ideas of my own, and increasingly feel that I would not only like to act; but to act in stories that I want to tell. And for this reason my hopes for 2022 include new adventures in acting and filmmaking.
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Whatever your hopes are for 2022, I wish you every blessing and will be pleased to know that you are finding success and fulfilment; because in the words of the recently late, and very great, Archbishop Desmond Tutu: "My humanity is bound up in yours, for we can only be human together."

Happy New Year...
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Typecast...

18/12/2021

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Casting site: StarNow have sent me a call they think I might be interested in.
(Just hope the wig fits)...
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You Can Leave Your Hat On...

17/6/2021

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I recently watched the 1997 British comedy: 'The Full Monty' on television again, and I must say I have always found it a remarkably poignant and touching film. Essentially it is the story of how a handful of unemployed, skint steelworkers in Sheffield, England, come up with a novel idea of to make a few quid, they decide to be male strippers for a one off show; but for me the film also touches something much deeper about the human condition.
​I think men still form a sense of who, and what they are from their occupation. Losing his job obviously creates financial worries and stress for a man; but as this film highlights, it also means something more profound. It is as though what it means to be a man has been taken from the characters, it is almost as if their very Humanity has been erased.
The scene where Gerald is almost in tears after the lads have ruined his first interview in months, confessing he has been unable to tell his Wife of his predicament; and especially the scene when Dave tells his Wife he can't go through with the show because: "who wants to see this dance?" And she lovingly replies: "Me Dave... I do", I personally find heart-rending.
One of British film-making's real gems, The Full Monty finds a perfect balance of comedy and tragedy to deliver a beautiful, and very important story.

(You can leave your hat on)...
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R.S.V.P...

31/3/2021

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I recently watched a very interesting video by the renowned acting coach, Steven Ditmyer on how to deliver monologues using the Meisner Technique. Sanford Meisner believed very much in the relationships between Actors in a scene and taught his Students to get out of their own heads by focusing on their scene partner. I really like the technique which is intensely visceral and alive; however, it gets interesting when there is no 'other'. When the Actor or Actress must deliver a monologue...
The first time I struggled with Meisner theory was when I was doing a screen acting workshop. We did an exercise where another Actor read the other character's lines as if they were a studio Intern, and I had to stay in character delivering my lines to the top of a camera tripod. The 'Intern' was told to blank read without any emotional input, but I still had to act. I really enjoy doing monologues and find that using imagination to change the target character and given circumstances for a particular piece can profoundly change its delivery. In Steven's video he suggested having a clear visualization of whom, or what, you are dilvering the words to; and with particular reference to the tripod exercise, I remember another teacher of Meisner who advised me to "keep acting until that tripod responds to you"! However there are some pieces for which I think the Actor must source everything within themselves. I find some of my favourite monologues in Science Fiction movies and particularly like the final piece from 'The Incredible Shrinking Man' (1957). Those who have seen the film will know that by the end the title character is now miniscule, and thought by his family to be dead, so who exactly are the voiced-over words being delivered to? Who would ever hear these words? He makes reference to God, for whom "there is no zero", but speaks about Him in the third person. Nevertheless, the words are incredibly poignant, and a great challenge for an Actor inasmuch as they come from the depths of the character's soul, but involve no other character. I have to be honest and say that I do not visualize an 'other' when I perform this monologue, but always feel very stirred within myself. For me it seems, I can find an 'other' within myself, and that can be very useful when talking to tripods...
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Eye Of The Beholder...

1/11/2020

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I cannot believe they are closing the beauty parlours again.
NOW WHAT AM I GOING TO DO!!!
#actor #actorslife #clarkrenney #clarkrenneyactor #filmactor #matureactor #proactor
#theydontmakethemlikethatanymore #alwayschasingmagic
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Thank You!

12/9/2020

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A film I appeared in is currently being shown at the Venice Film Festival, and I received this message from the Lead Actor...
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'​Clark, you bring so much depth to the film and you look great on the big screen out here! Sending all our best to you!'
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​I must say, it is always a great honour and a humbling experience when a fellow professional extends you that kind of respect. And that respect is absolutely mutual.
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​Thank You, Anthony...
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A Very Great Lady...

26/7/2020

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Today I learned the sad news that I had expected for some time. At the grand old age of 104, one of the last great icons from the Golden Age of Hollywood has left us for that great awards ceremony in the sky. The Great Olivia de Havilland is dead.
Born in Tokyo in 1916, the arts were in her blood, her Mother being a RADA trained stage Actress; and a younger Sister, Joan Fontaine, also becoming a famous Actress, and with whom she was said to have had a long-standing rivalry; (although I personally felt the media overplayed it). Her paternal cousin, Sir Geoffrey de Havilland, was the founder of the legendary de Havilland aircraft company.
Olivia de Havilland's remarkable career would span some five decades, and in addition to being a wonderful Actress, she became a champion of performers' rights when she challenged the studio system which was prevalent in Hollywood at that time. Backed by the Screen Actors Guild she took her employers, Warner Brothers, to court and won what became a landmark labour ruling in 1944, known to this day as the 'De Havilland Law'.
I think I fell in love with her when I was eight years old, watching her on the old black and white telly opposite the great Errol Flynn, with whom she co-starred eight times. And of course, there was 'Gone With The Wind', for me still the greatest movie ever made, which garnered her one of the five Oscar nominations of her career. She would win two.
I guess when you are one hundred and four years old, you are entitled to cash your chips; but I cannot help but feel a deep sadness at her passing. It is as if a little part of my childhood has gone. They really don't make films like that any more; and we may never see her like again.
When her character, Melanie Wilkes, dies in Gone With The Wind, Rhett Butler speaks a line which somehow seems appropriate today...

"Well, God rest her. She was the only completely kind person I ever knew. A great Lady. A very great Lady."

A Great Lady, indeed.
Goodbye Madam, and Thank You...

Olivia Mary de Havilland, (1916-2020).
Requiescat In Pace...
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